U.S. patent number 5,526,584 [Application Number 08/326,688] was granted by the patent office on 1996-06-18 for sock-like shoe insert.
Invention is credited to Walter Bleimhofer, Rita Danielak.
United States Patent |
5,526,584 |
Bleimhofer , et al. |
June 18, 1996 |
Sock-like shoe insert
Abstract
A sock-like shoe insert is provided which incorporates an upper
of waterproof, water-vapor permeable functional layer for
waterproof, breathable footwear and a sole of a waterproof,
non-porous plastic film that can be stretched in two
directions.
Inventors: |
Bleimhofer; Walter (8201
Ostermunchen, DE), Danielak; Rita (8201 Ostermunchen,
DE) |
Family
ID: |
25508437 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/326,688 |
Filed: |
January 10, 1994 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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964340 |
Oct 21, 1992 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
36/10; 36/55 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B
17/107 (20130101); A43B 23/07 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A41B
11/00 (20060101); A43B 23/07 (20060101); A43B
17/00 (20060101); A43B 17/10 (20060101); A43B
23/00 (20060101); A43B 017/10 (); A43B
023/07 () |
Field of
Search: |
;36/9R,10,55,93
;2/239 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
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334038 |
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1228239 |
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2116790 |
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Dec 1970 |
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FR |
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787148 |
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Oct 1949 |
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DE |
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20586 |
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May 1955 |
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DE |
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1096324 |
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Jan 1958 |
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DE |
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1850326 |
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Dec 1961 |
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DE |
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1924306 |
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Dec 1961 |
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DE |
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1248006 |
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Aug 1963 |
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DE |
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2123316 |
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May 1970 |
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DE |
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2551233 |
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Feb 1974 |
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DE |
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2711579 |
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Mar 1977 |
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DE |
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2737756 |
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Aug 1977 |
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DE |
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2854464 |
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Dec 1978 |
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DE |
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149459 |
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Jul 1981 |
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DE |
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284638 |
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Apr 1987 |
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DE |
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3840087 |
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Nov 1988 |
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DE |
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3840263 |
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Nov 1988 |
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DE |
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8814974 |
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Dec 1988 |
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DE |
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330974 |
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Feb 1989 |
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DE |
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4007962 |
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Mar 1990 |
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DE |
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9004403 |
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Apr 1990 |
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DE |
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167792 |
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Nov 1975 |
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IT |
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70430 |
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May 1946 |
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NO |
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Other References
Purchase Order-Early Winters, Ltd. to Danner Boot Co., Jun. 20,
1980. .
Recreational Equipment, Inc. Catalogue, p. 28, Spring, 1980. .
Danner Shoe Mfg. Co. Shipping Invoice, Aug. 28, 1980. .
Danner Shoe Mfg. Co. Shipping Invoice, Oct. 14, 1980. .
P. Sroka and K. Stukenbrook, Harbuch der Textilen Fixiereinlagen,
Sections 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 and 6 (1980), (Sinus Publishers) (with
translation). .
F. J. Fleissner, Der Weg zum Cheimodelleur, (1955)
(Schuhindustrie-Verlag Seiler & Co.) (with translation). .
Romika Order Book 1970/71 Fall/Winter, 1, 2, 72 (with translation).
.
Romika Order Book 1972/73 Fall/Winter, 1, 2, 25 (with translation).
.
Drawing of Nov. 30, 1989 (with translation). .
Golke and Tanner, GORE-TEX.RTM. Waterproof Breathable Laminates,
vol. 6, J. Coated Fabrics 28-37 (Jul. 1976). .
Harold Rose, Fusible Interlinings--Origins and Technology; 1-10
(Highgate Publications)..
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Primary Examiner: Sewell; Paul T.
Assistant Examiner: Kavanaugh; Ted
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Samuels; Gary A.
Parent Case Text
This application is a continuation, of application Ser. No.
07/964,340 filed Oct. 21, 1992, now abandoned.
Claims
We claim:
1. A bicomponent bootie insert in combination with a waterproof
breathable footwear, said bootie insert comprising an upper
provided with a laminate having at least an outer textile layer and
a functional layer that is waterproof and water vapor permeable and
a sole that is a waterproof, nonporous plastic elastomeric film
stretchable in two dimensions, wherein the upper and sole of the
bootie insert are attached to each other in a waterproof manner and
wherein the bootie insert is attached to the waterproof
footwear.
2. A bootie insert of claim 1, wherein the upper and the sole are
sewn together to form seams and the seams are covered by a
waterproof seam-sealing tape.
3. A bootie insert of claim 1, wherein the upper and the sole are
connected by a seam selected from the group consisting of welded
seams and adhesive seams.
4. A bootie insert of claim 1, wherein the plastic film consists of
polyurethane.
5. A bootie insert of claim 1, wherein the plastic film consists of
a polyurethane film which is provided with a two-dimensionally
stretchable, textile material at an inner side of the shoe
insert.
6. A bootie insert of claim 1, wherein the upper consists of a
laminate which comprises the functional layer and a textile layer,
at least on one side of the functional layer.
7. A bootie insert of claim 1, wherein the functional layer is
formed by a film consisting of expanded, microporous
polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).
8. A bootie insert of claim 1, wherein an insole is adhesively
bonded to an inner side of the sole.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a sock-like shoe insert which incorporates
an upper having a waterproof, water vapor permeable functional
layer for waterproof, breathable footwear, and a sole of
waterproof, non-porous plastic film that can be stretched in two
directions.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The waterproof, breathable footwear consists of an upper which is
air-permeable but at the same time water permeable. The outer layer
of the upper may be a leather or a textile fabric. The
waterproofness is achieved through the use of a waterproof
water-vapor permeable functional layer that is arranged within the
shoe. The functional layer may be made of expanded microporous
polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). It is difficult to sew the
functional layer directly to the upper and/or sole material of the
footwear. The functional layer becomes permeable to water when it
is pierced during the sewing process. A common method is therefore
to provide the footwear with a sock-like shoe insert containing the
functional layer. The latter is usually part of a laminate which
comprises the functional layer and a textile material, at least on
one side of the functional layer, preferably at both sides of the
functional layer. The sock-like shoe insert incorporates several
pieces which may be joined to produce a waterproof upper and sole
part. This waterproof joining process may be accomplished by sewing
the individual pieces together and sealing the seams with a
superimposed adhesive or sealing tape which is applied onto the
seam by a bonding or welding process.
Such a sock-like shoe insert, which is termed "bootie" by the
experts in the field, is preferably attached within the footwear in
that the upper end of the shoe insert is connected with the upper
end of the footwear, by sewing, and that the sole area of the shoe
insert is held stationary between the outsole and the insole of the
footwear, preferably by adhesive bonding over the entire
surface.
Leakage has sometimes been observed immediately after the
manufacture of the footwear or after extended use particularly in
the sole area.
There is a need for a sock-like shoe insert in which only the upper
is provided with the functional layer whereas the sole area
consists of a waterproof, non-porous plastic film which is
bidirectionally stretchable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A sock-like shoe insert is provided having a waterproof water-vapor
permeable functional layer for waterproof, breathable footwear,
wherein the shoe insert comprises an upper having a functional
layer and a sole consisting of a waterproof, non-porous plastic
film which can be stretched in two dimensions. The shoe insert
parts may be sewn together and then covered by a waterproof
seam-sealing tape. The shoe insert parts may also be connected by a
sealed seam or an adhesive seam.
The shoe insert sole consisting of the non-porous plastic film may
consist of a polyurethane. The polyurethane may also be provided
with a two-dimensionally stretchable textile-like material at the
inner side of the shoe insert.
The functional layer of the upper may be a laminate comprising the
functional layer and a textile layer on at least one side of the
functional layer. The functional layer may be formed of a film of
expanded microporous polytetrafluoroethylene.
The shoe insert may also have an insole that is adhesively bonded
to the inner side of the sole area.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a bicomponent bootie in combination
with a waterproof breathable footwear shown in cross-section as
provided by the present invention.
FIGS. 2 through 4 are cut parts comprised in the bicomponent bootie
according to FIG. 1, namely two cut parts for the leg in FIGS. 2
and 3 and one cut part for the sole in FIG. 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The first step in designing the features of the present invention
includes an analysis of existing state of the art footwear. This
analysis includes the following:
1. While walking, the human foot expands both in the walking
direction and in the cross direction, (i.e. in two directions). The
functional layer of which the standard insert usually consist is,
however, stretchable in one direction only. This applies in
particular to functional layer laminates, the functional layer of
which is provided with a textile carrier material, at least on one
side. Such textile carrier materials usually consist of knit or
woven materials, which stretch differently in the warp and weft
direction. As a result, the elasticity of the laminate differs,
depending on the stretching direction; in most cases the
stretchability is monoaxial only.
Due to this monoaxial stretchability, the bootie may be subjected
to considerable mechanical stress which cannot be compensated for
by the elasticity of the bootie material, in particular in the sole
area where a cut sole piece is connected with upper pieces of the
bootie.
2. Lasting is a common procedural step during the manufacture of
shoes. In this process, the upper is applied around a last, turned
back so that it overlaps the sole edges of the last and is attached
to an insole which is mounted to the sole of the last. During this
process, the bootie is located between the insole and the turned
back upper material. The three-dimensional shape of the last causes
wrinkles to be formed during the lasting process. These wrinkles
occur in the upper but also in the laminate containing the
functional layer, in particular in the sole area, at the heel. This
leads to pressure peaks at these wrinkles, which may damage the
functional layer.
Since the upper is pulled around the transitional area between the
sole and the leg of the last under a high tension, the sole area of
the bootie laminate is subjected to high pressures, which may also
damage the functional layer. In order to maintain the breathability
of the laminate with the functional layer, the individual layers of
the laminate are bonded by means of adhesive dots applied in a
matrix-like distribution. Furthermore, the textile laminate layers
are often ribbed to a certain extent. At the small areas where the
adhesive dots and the ribbed surfaces are located, the full
pressure exerted by the lasting process is transmitted to the
functional layer. Even worse, the laminate is stretched by up to
20% while being subjected to the pressure force.
3. The different layers of the laminate shrink nonuniformly when
subjected to elevated temperatures, which results in a forced
expansion and stress of the functional layer in the laminate
composite. As a consequence, shrinkage wrinkles may be produced on
the functional layer outside of the adhesive matrix dots. When the
shrinkage wrinkles are subjected to pressure, they are more likely
to be damaged than the wrinkle-free parts.
4. The individual cut pieces of the bootie are connected with each
other by seams. Subsequently, the seams are sealed using a sealing
tape applied by means of hot air. When the seams are sealed, the
bootie is deformed, because it is exposed to the elevated sealing
temperature and because the laminate is manually fed into the seam
sealing machine.
5. Whereas the above-mentioned reasons may damage the functional
layer of a bootie during the production stage, other kinds of
damage may occur while the shoe is being worn. One example is that
fine sand may enter the space between the inlay sole and the
laminate and destroy the functional layer due to the pressure
exerted by the wearer's weight.
The present invention addresses many of these problems. Since the
sole area does not contain a functional layer but a waterproof,
non-porous plastic film which is stretchable in two dimensions, the
bootie can be constructed in such a way that waterproofness and
mechanical strength are assured. The present invention is referred
to as a bicomponent bootie.
A flat film consisting of thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers is
the preferred material for the sole area of a bicomponent bootie.
Preferably an extruded flat film is used.. The preferred wall
thickness ranges from 0.25 to 1 mm. Thermoplastic polyurethane
elastomers in the form of highly molecular organic materials of
segmented (i.e. alternating hard and soft segments) and
predominantly linear construction are preferred. The preferred
shore hardness values are in the range of 86 A.
Such plastic films excel by their high mechanical strength, high
wear resistance, flexibility over a wide temperature range, good
seam-sealability and high two-directional stretchability.
A bicomponent bootie according to the present invention has an
improved fit and a homogenous distribution of the extension in all
directions of the sole area. The sole area is protected against
damage. The higher elasticity of the bicomponent bootie in the sole
area leads to decreased expansion in the remaining part of the
bootie laminate. The bicomponent bootie provided is waterproof
because the weak parts of previous footwear have been
eliminated.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the upper and the sole
area are sewn together and the seams are covered by a waterproof
seam-sealing tape. Alternatively the individual cut pieces of the
bicomponent bootie may be connected with each other through sealed
seams or adhesive seams.
The inner side of the plastic film used in the sole of the
bicomponent bootie described in the present invention may be
provided with a bidirectionally stretchable, textile-like material,
and may consist of a polyamide which has additional moisture
absorption capacities.
Usually, booties are not made by the shoe manufacturers but by the
suppliers of functional layer materials. It is therefore
advantageous to adhesively bond an insole into the bootie at the
bootie manufacturer's plant. This will simplify the subsequent
production of the shoes for the shoe manufacturer. The following
materials are suitable for the functional layer: microporous
expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), as described in the U.S.
Pat. Nos. 3,953,566 and 4,187,390, expanded PTFE provided with
hydrophilic impregnation agents and/or layers as described in U.S.
Pat. No. 4,194,041, breathable polyurethane layers, or elastomers
such as copolyetherester and laminates thereof, as described in
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,725,481 and 4,493,870. All of these cited patents
are hereby incorporated by reference.
The invention is best understood by reference to the accompanying
drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of a bicomponent bootie 11 which
consists of a lateral upper section 13 shown as the front part in
FIG. 1, a lateral upper section 15 shown as the rear part in FIG. 1
and a sole part 17. The two lateral upper sections 13 and 15 are
linked by an instep seam 19 and a heel seam 21 to produce a bootie
leg. This bootie leg is linked with the sole part 17 through a sole
seam 23. The seams 19, 21 and 23 are covered by a waterproof instep
seam tape 25, a heel seam tape 27 and a sole seam tape 29. These
seam-sealing tapes are usually applied by means of hot air to form
a bond with the material to be sealed.
The lateral upper sections 13 and 15 consist of a laminate with a
functional layer which is provided with a textile layer, at least
on one side, in order to increase the mechanical strength. The
laminate may be provided with a textile layer on both sides. In
this case, the inner textile layer may be formed by a material
which absorbs moisture.
The sole part 17 preferably consists of a polyurethane film of
about the same dimensions as the insole of the footwear to be
provided with the bicomponent bootie. Polyurethane films with the
above-mentioned properties and parameters are preferred.
The bicomponent bootie is attached within a waterproof breathable
footwear 30 in that the upper end of the bootie is connected with
the upper end of the footwear, by sewing 32, and that the sole area
of the bootie is held stationary between the outsole and the insole
of the footwear, preferably by adhesive bonding over the entire
surface.
FIGS. 2 and 3 show the two lateral upper sections 15 and 13. FIG. 4
shows the sole part 17.
The fit may be improved if the upper of the bicomponent bootie
comprises more than the two upper sections 13 and 15. The upper
section of the bicomponent bootie is preferably made from three
upper sections-two lateral upper sections and one wedge-shaped
instep part which extends from the toe part of the two-component
bootie, where it is narrow, to the upper open end of the
bicomponent bootie, where it broadens, and which approximately
corresponds to the tongue area of the footwear to be furnished with
the bicomponent bootie.
The bicomponent bootie described in the present invention may also
be provided with an insole 8 which is applied by the bootie
manufacturer to the inner side of the sole area 17 of the bootie as
shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in particular by adhesive bonding. This
considerably simplifies the shoe manufacturing process because the
shoe manufacturer is supplied with the finished bootie by the
bootie manufacturer.
* * * * *